Taking the conscious plunge into a superstitious New York Jets fan’s mind is a dangerous endeavor.
It’s not that superstition coupled with sports is a foreign idea; more to the point, desperation invades the mind with intrusive thoughts. When a human unconditionally (and sometimes uncontrollably) loves something out of tangible reach, and out of the scope of one’s control, a significant chunk of the brain is reserved to handle such demons.
Agonizingly, I relate to this plight.
It’s a superstition thing
I’m old enough to remember Woody Johnson’s first decade of ownership. Recognizing each offseason’s topsy-turvy nature was, well … in my nature.
Once Bill Parcells stepped away from coaching, fans were lukewarm on the Al Groh idea. Yet, despite a disappointing final week in Baltimore, the Jets were fascinating and entertaining, particularly in the first half of the season when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
After Herm Edward’s 2002 triumph—the organization’s most recent AFC East championship—Chad Pennington’s preseason injury destroyed 2003. Yet, the 2004 season nearly took them to the AFC championship game following that bitter disappointment a year prior.
(Oh, Doug Brien, where in the world are you these days?)
In stepped Eric Mangini, whose 2006 duties were deemed heavy. The general consensus viewed the Jets as weak on talent and in rebuilding mode.
Surprisingly, however, the no-weapon squad won 10 games and made the playoffs. A year later, with expectations high, they fell flat on their faces.
Similar patterns repeated with Rex Ryan’s 2009 squad, after the deflating Brett Favre experiment, and again in 2013 to a much lesser degree. Oh yeah, let’s throw Mike Maccagnan’s “aggressive rebuild” in there for good measure.
I think it’s safe to assume just how dangerous this task is. Any Jets fan foreigner attempting to relate should be legally required to sign a waiver—or those late-night “call 1-900-GET-PAID” two-bit lawyer commercials will once again reign supreme.
The superstitious among the Jets base expect horrifying results when the offseason is loud, and sneakily pleasant results when least expected. Therefore, as a seasoned veteran in this area, I firmly believe fans are ready to rumble on the heels of the miserable Aaron Rodgers era.
Despite many of you downtrodden folks who are understandably perennially stuck in doom-and-gloom mode, this “superstition” thing may provide a little life to the masses. With that in mind, yes, my people, the New York Jets roster is much better than you think.
A unique identity
Granted, the monstrous question mark at quarterback will have to progress independently. Nobody can point to any existing positive that could prove Justin Fields will dominate in 2025 and beyond.
Though it’s a critical position, think about Aaron Glenn’s vision for this team …
The Jets’ sideline boss is doing everything possible to lighten the quarterback’s load.
Drafting Armand Membou No. 7 overall cemented the idea that Tanner Engstrand’s offense will run the ball into oblivion. As I wrote in mid-March, Glenn’s vision is dead-set on Fields’s legs and a one-read offense littered with rushing concepts working off of read-options, quarterback-designed runs, play-action, jet-motion, and more.
Glenn is relying on the evolution of this sport to trudge forward. The top rushing teams in the league now feature the best rushing signal-callers (i.e., Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, etc.).
If Glenn has his way, Fields will make this slow-moving evolution look more like a revolution by the end of the 2025 season.
Although Fields’s on-field production matters greatly, the Jets are conducting business in a way that drastically lessens the quarterback’s load, at least initially.
Where’s the ceiling?
With the quarterback set aside, let’s evaluate the rest of the depth chart and identify the most significant argument for why this Jets roster is much better than anybody thinks.
Where is the ceiling for each of the New York Jets players?
I submit that the most meaningful players on this roster have not even come close to broaching their ceiling—save for one player.
Sauce Gardner is that player.
The two-time First-Team All-Pro commenced his professional career with a blaze. Thanks to his near-fictional blend of short-area quickness and length, Gardner became an NFL star.
I also believe that Sauce is one of the main reasons Aaron Glenn is here.
Other than Sauce, which promising Jets player has hit that elusive ceiling?
- Sauce Gardner (CB): Yes
- Garrett Wilson (WR): No, but somewhat close
- Breece Hall (RB): No, my goodness, gracious, no
- Jermaine Johnson (EDGE): Not even close
- Will McDonald (EDGE): Most likely not
- Quinnen Williams (IDL): No, dependent upon focus and scheming
- Alijah Vera-Tucker (IOL): Maybe, dependent upon availability
- Joe Tippmann (IOL): No
- Olu Fashanu (OT): No
- Michael Carter II (CB): Perhaps
- Jamien Sherwood (LB): Most likely not
- Quincy Williams (LB): Perhaps not
- Justin Fields (QB): No
Sprinkle in the likes of Armand Membou, Mason Taylor, Braelon Allen, and others, and suddenly, the ceiling looks much higher.
Of course, not every player will hit that ceiling. There’s no guarantee that any of these guys will improve.
Nonetheless, when evaluating the current state of the roster, there’s no question that the “room to improve” area takes up much more space than the “room to decline” bucket. By mere accident, things look rosier.
It’s about the coaching, stupid
It boils down to coaching.
Now, listen, “my mama didn’t raise no stupid children, ya know,” as Ed Norton of “The Honeymooners” fame constantly uttered. I get it: Jets fans are sick. They no longer want to hear about how their team’s coaching will get it done this time.
After all, Jets fans thought Robert Saleh was that guy. Ultimately, he wasn’t, and everybody’s hoping Aaron Glenn is that guy.
I have no idea if Glenn is the real deal, nor will I make any proclamations. All I can confidently say is that he has a firm idea of what he wants to do, and his unapologetic and confident nature is perfect for challenging his players.
I am incredibly impressed by how he’s conducted business. More importantly, I’m surprised to find myself this impressed so early into his tenure, despite my dogged nature to remain locked into “show me on the field” mode.
Accountability through leadership might be the area that has prohibited Jets players from realizing their true potential. If Aaron Glenn is truly the genuine article, several of the aforementioned names will finish 2025 as better versions of themselves.
Throw all of it in a pot, and yes, the New York Jets roster is better than we think; we just don’t know how it’s better—at least not yet.
